Three people lost their lives in a car accident in India, allegedly while following instructions from Google’s navigation application, according to local media reports citing police sources. Their vehicle veered off a bridge that was undergoing significant repairs and was subsequently discovered by local residents.
The deceased were en route from Noida, a city located in Uttar Pradesh approximately 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) southeast of New Delhi, to Faridpur to attend a wedding. It has been reported that Google Maps directed the driver onto the incomplete bridge, which had a section that had previously collapsed due to flood damage. There were no barriers or warning signs on the bridge.
In connection with the incident, four engineers have been taken into police custody, according to the local media. Additionally, the regional officer of Google Maps is also under investigation, according to the report.
In the aftermath of the accident, municipal authorities have been instructed to conduct inspections of all roads and bridges in the vicinity to avert similar incidents in the future.
Local officials reported that a section of the bridge was damaged during a flood earlier this year. Nevertheless, these alterations have not yet been reflected in the navigation system, as stated by Ashutosh Shivam, a police officer from Faridpur.
In the meantime, a representative from Google expressed condolences and affirmed the company’s commitment to assisting with the investigation. “We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the affected families. We are collaborating closely with the authorities and offering our support to address the matter,” the representative stated.
Google Maps reportedly has approximately 60 million active users in India and has mapped over 7 million kilometers of roads within the nation, as stated in a blog post by the company earlier this year. The organization mentioned that it employs a custom-built artificial intelligence strategy to address challenges related to narrow roads and flyovers, facilitate sustainable travel through the integration of electric vehicle charging stations, and empower the largest community of map contributors to identify real-time road disruptions. Furthermore, the company has enhanced the app’s interface to simplify the reporting of incidents such as crashes, slowdowns, construction activities, lane closures, stalled vehicles, and obstacles on the roadway.
Local competitors, including MapMyIndia and Ola Maps, have been competing with the American technology giant by emphasizing region-specific functionalities and offline usability; however, they still represent only a minor portion of the consumer navigation market.
